As a child, Samuel Meyer played the role of a young scientist, using his chemistry set to experiment with different concoctions.

Meyer's childhood play grew into him becoming a nationwide manufacturer and creator of cleaning products, as the owner and founder of Abrite Cleaning Systems.

The business began as a pressure-washing company until Meyer saw a need for higher quality cleaning products.

“He started formulating the chemical and cleaning supplies on his own. We still have the formulas written on index cards,” his daughter, Cassandra Russell said. “He was able to eventually turn the company into straight manufacturing.”

Working alongside his wife, Deborah, who managed the bookkeeping end, Meyer was able to build a business that spanned 35 years.

Meyer died Tuesday from complications of pneumonia and a heart condition. He was 56.

Meyer's glass cleaner and laundry detergent were once found at H-E-B and other local stores. But Russell recalled the “rave” product was her father's truck washing detergent that landed him a contract with VIA Metropolitan Transit.

“People loved his products and his customer service. He and my mom really tried to give a personal touch to everybody that they met, and I think that's why people kept coming back,” Russell said.

Eventually, Meyer's mom-and-pop company was supplying cleaning solutions to businesses across the country.

As a local business owner, Meyer gave back to the community by offering Judson, Churchill and Marshall high schools bottles of laundry detergent that were creatively used to garner school spirit.

“He let the schools private-label the detergent to sell at fundraisers, so they'd have like Marshall Ram soap and Charger Spirit soap. It was a neat thing,” his daughter said.

In 1995, Meyer sustained injuries to his neck that required surgery when his SUV was struck by a drunken driver. Soon after, he suffered his first heart attack.

Meyer closed the doors to Abrite Cleaning Systems in 2009 after years of battling health conditions.

“It was pretty amazing that he was able to work for so long. That was something I really admired about him,” his daughter said. “He taught me to have a strong work ethic and to always keep a positive attitude.”